Insomnia is a sleeping disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite the opportunity. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Insomniacs have been known to complain about being unable to close their eyes or "rest their mind" for more than a few minutes at a time. Both organic and non-organic insomnia constitute a sleep disorder.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia each year. Insomnia tends to increase with age and affects about 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men.

Friday, February 29, 2008

GEICO: Teen Drivers Need A Full Tank Of Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Zs

Teens have the highest crash rates in the country. They have probably the least sleep. GEICO (http://www.geico.com) agrees with a growing number of sources including the National Sleep Foundation (http://www.sleepfoundation.org), that the problem could be remedied by a good sleep.


Two critical factors collide when young people are in their early years of driving: 1) they have almost 9.5 hours of sleep each night to a boom in development and growth hormone, and 2) they are much less sleep than they need - an average of 7.4 hours a night, much less for many.


Compounding the problem further, the researchers say that adolescents' biological clocks are set so that they fall asleep later at night and wake up later in the spring, a timetable, it is impossible to follow because in the early morning hours school starts for most teenagers.


Everything points to a nation of teenagers very sleepy.


National Sleep Awareness Week March 3-9


While the National Sleep Awareness Week, March 3-9, GEICO is alarmed parents with teen drivers to watch their teen sleep habits and adjust them as more young people to sleep. Teens need more sleep to remain vigilant so that sound judgments, and during the ride to get clear thinking and quick reflexes.


your teen sleep can be withdrawn if he or she can not wake up in the morning, irritable late in the day, falling asleep spontaneously during the day and sleep in great detail at the weekend.
While that sounds like a universal description of most young people, most of the time, it is possible to bridge the gap in their sleep hours, is the focus of the many tragic behavior of young people.


The driving danger is obvious. Drowsy driving is a principle cause of traffic crashes each year, and young drivers are particularly vulnerable because they operate most of the time much less sleep than they need. www.drowsydriving.org See more.


rework Teens' schedules Needs Sleep Around


It is important that both parents and young people to recognize the signs of fatigue and daily work schedules to allow healthier sleep cycles.


It will not be easy. Teens have a lot to keep them Nights at the school: Studies, anxiety about grades, after-school sports and social activities, the delay time study, relationship, on the stimulation of media sources, including popular computer sites, computer games, and an overload of mobile phone usage and SMS .


What parents can do


What can parents do to their teenagers more rest:


- Build time-management skills. encouraging young people to see how long the tasks and realistic plan to accomplish school. Get to start early and not hesitate. then they will not burn Oil and the midnight sun, they can enjoy a good night's sleep.

- Establish a reasonable bedtime and stick to it.

- Create a routine that the bedtime winds, the tempo . The Mayo Clinic recommends a warm bath or shower, a book, relaxing activities, and 30 minutes before the lights, no loud music, video games, telephone conversations and Internet use.

- Eliminate caffeine drinks in the evening.

- Complete exercise and sports programs in the early evening, and before bedtime.

- Determine whether all drugs, which can sleep.


GEICO offers an online library of information will help teens safe on the road. Please go to here to download and materials.


GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the viertgrate private passenger auto insurer in the United States. automatically It offers insurance protection for more than 8 million policyholders and insures more than 13 million vehicles.

http://www.geico.com

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Monday, February 25, 2008

Scheduling Of Zolpidem (Stilnox), Australia

The National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee (NDPSC) in the planning of zolpidem (in the medical Stilnox) February 2008 at its meeting this week because of concerns related to reports of possible abuse of this substance.


The NDPSC also a number of comments to describe personal accounts of adverse events, including the bizarre behaviors sleep and their consequences.


While the NDPSC recognizes the concerns that members of the public have about these adverse events, the members of the Committee concludes that the current Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) zolpidem status remains appropriate.


This concluded the NDPSC agreed that zolpidem does not meet the criteria for a Schedule 8 (Controlled Drug) medicine. Schedule 8 drugs must show a substantial risk of abuse, dependence or abuse for illegal purposes. There was no convincing evidence presented that the NDPSC the abuse potential zolpidem requires it publishes.


The NDPSC found that zolpidem is available only by prescription under the supervision of a doctor, and its use should be carefully monitored by the prescribing doctor. It is only for the short-term use and should not be used with alcohol. Zolpidem should only be used with caution when other central nervous system drugs, such as antidepressants, under strict medical supervision.


NDSPSC also pointed out that the TGA has several appropriate regulatory action, and is currently continuing its assessment of Australian and international data on the safety of zolpidem. The NDPSC be a brief observation on the subject in the coming months.


In accordance with the NDPSC practice and statutory requirements, a record of the reasons for this and other scheduling decisions in the February 2008 meeting will be open to the public on the NDPSC site on 4 April 2008.


The National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee


The NDPSC is a statutory committee under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. It is responsible for establishing the classification and scheduling of substances for inclusion in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP), along with other functions. The NDPSC has a broad spectrum of experts and professional members, with memberships from the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, states and territories and New Zealand.


The NDPSC is required to publish a notice in the Official Journal before and after each session, which included an invitation to the public to give advice.


Scheduling and coordination procedures and the questions of NDPSC must take into account when making a decision, in the law and related regulations.


The NDPSC decisions are made by a majority of members present and voting at a meeting NDPSC and needs a majority of the jurisdiction of the members present and voting. There are eleven members from the jurisdiction of the community (1), states and territories (8) and New Zealand (2). However, only a representative of one of New Zealand as a member of the judiciary, for the purposes of voting.


As part of its statutory obligations, the NDPSC published records of reasons for its scheduling decisions. This article is published on the website NDPSC about six weeks after each meeting. The recording of the reasons for the February 2008 meeting NDPSC be released around 4 April 2008 and found here.

http://www.tga.gov.au

Article Source:

Home Remedies for Insomnia

Insomnia is when a person cannot sleep properly, which results in daytime fatigue and poor performance caused by insufficient sleep.



Saturday, February 23, 2008

Scheduling Of Zolpidem (Stilnox), Australia

The National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee (NDPSC) in the planning of zolpidem (in the medical Stilnox) February 2008 at its meeting this week because of concerns related to reports of possible abuse of this substance.


The NDPSC a series of statements to describe personal accounts of adverse events, including the bizarre behaviors sleep and their consequences.


While the NDPSC recognizes the concerns that members of the public have about these adverse events, the members of the Committee concludes that the current Schedule 4 (Prescription Only) zolpidem status remains appropriate.


This concluded the NDPSC agreed that zolpidem does not meet the criteria for a Schedule 8 (Controlled Drug) medicine. Schedule 8 drugs must show a substantial risk of abuse, dependence or abuse for illegal purposes. There was no convincing evidence presented that the NDPSC the abuse potential zolpidem requires it publishes.


The NDPSC found that zolpidem is available only by prescription under the supervision of a doctor, and its use should be carefully monitored by the prescribing doctor. It is only for the short-term use and should not be used with alcohol. Zolpidem should only be used with caution when other central nervous system drugs, such as antidepressants, under strict medical supervision.


NDSPSC also pointed out that the TGA has several appropriate regulatory action, and is currently continuing its assessment of Australian and international data on the safety of zolpidem. The NDPSC be a brief observation on the subject in the coming months.


In accordance with the NDPSC practice and statutory requirements, a record of the reasons for this and other scheduling decisions in the February 2008 meeting will be open to the public on the NDPSC site on 4 April 2008.


The National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee


The NDPSC is a statutory committee under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. It is responsible for establishing the classification and scheduling of substances for inclusion in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP), along with other functions. The NDPSC has a broad spectrum of experts and professional members, with memberships from the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, states and territories and New Zealand.


The NDPSC is required to publish a notice in the Official Journal before and after each session, which included an invitation to the public to give advice.


Scheduling and coordination procedures and the questions of NDPSC must take into account when making a decision, in the law and related regulations.


The NDPSC decisions are made by a majority of members present and voting at a meeting NDPSC and needs a majority of the jurisdiction of the members present and voting. There are eleven members from the jurisdiction of the community (1), states and territories (8) and New Zealand (2). However, only a representative of one of New Zealand as a member of the judiciary, for the purposes of voting.


As part of its statutory obligations, the NDPSC published records of reasons for its scheduling decisions. This article is published on the website NDPSC about six weeks after each meeting. The recording of the reasons for the February 2008 meeting NDPSC be released around 4 April 2008 and found here.

http://www.tga.gov.au

Article Source:

Friday, February 22, 2008

Dozing In The Day Linked To Higher Stroke Risk In Elderly

A new US study showed that in the course of the day snoozing could be a sign of increased risk of stroke for older Americans. The results of the study (Abstract 94)
Have been on the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2008, in New Orleans this week.


The researchers found that stroke risk was two to four times graer for older people who maig dozed during the day. Schlummernden was defined as
"Unabsichtlich falling asleep."


The research has already indicated that the apnea, where breathing stops for short periods during sleep, is a higher risk of stroke, and that daytime sleepiness
Could a result of poor sleep due to night apnoea.


Lead author, Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala, assistant professor of neurology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City, said
The results indicate that that:


"Daytime dozing can be an important and novel stroke risk factor."


Ground-2153 participants in the Northern Manhattan NOMAS
(Prospective) study that began in 1990. This is the first study to examine stroke risk for whites, blacks and Hispanics live in the same
community.


None of the participants had suffered a stroke when she enrolled. Their average age was 73 and 64 percent of them were women, 60 percent were Hispanic, 20 per
goods black and 18 percent were white.


The researchers began collecting data on the day snoozing in the year 2004 with a survey based tool called the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which asked participants
evaluate the frequency of their slumbering in certain cases, Example television, sitting and chatting to someone, stopping short
in road transport during the trip, and sits quietly after a lunch without alcohol.


The results showed that:


  • 44 percent of the respondents fell into the "no sleeping" category, 47 percent were in "some slumbering" Category , and fell 9 percent in the
    "Significant dormant" category.


  • In an average follow-up of 2.3 years, there were 40 and 127 beats vascular events such as stroke, heart attack or death from circulatory problems
    Among the participants.


  • The risk of stroke was 2.6 times higher for participants who were "some slumbering" compared to those who did, "no sleeping".


  • in the "slumbering significant" group showed a 4.5-times higher risk.


  • There was no unexpectedly high stroke risk for the two groups of dozing compared with the group not dozing after stroke Controlling for several risk factors:
    race-ethnicity, age, gender, Education, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and physical activity.


  • The risk of a heart attack or vascular death was 1.6 percent higher for the "slumbering some" group and 2.6 percent for the "slumbering significant" group, and
    This was for both men and women and all ethnic groups.


"These figures are important," said Boden-Albala, "we were surprised that the impact was that for such a short time."


"As is well known, what it is worth, for the assessment of patients sleep problems," she says and adds that "the initial assessment can be something as simple as the
Epworth scale. maig When patients are severely or dozing, doctors must think about them for further evaluation, "she said
proposed.


If confirmed by other studies, these results may have important implications for public health. If studies show we are not enough sleep, then the
Actual question, soil-Albala asked is:


"What do we do to our bodies? Sleepiness obviously brings us to the risk of a stroke. "


Another blow study of 60000 people, which was at the same conference by Steven Hooker of the University of South Carolina and colleagues suggested that moderate aerobic fitness
protected people from stroke, even if they had a higher risk for heart disease or diabetes, Reuters reported.


Hooker told the press:


"We have found that a small amount of up maiger aerobic fitness for men and women in the entire adult age range would be enough to significantly reduce
stroke risk. "


Stroke is the third cause of death among Americans, after heart disease and cancer. About 780000 adults each year have a stroke in the United States, and the
these, 150,000 die.


Click here for American Stroke Association.


Sources: American Heart Association press release, Reuters, American Stroke Association.


Written by: Catharine Paddock, PhD


Copyright: Medical News Today

not be reproduced without the permission of Medical News Today

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Thursday, February 21, 2008

Re-Adjusting Your Sleep Schedule And Planning Ahead Will Minimize The Burden Of An Hour Of Sleep Loss With The Upcoming Time Change

9th March marks the return of Daylight-Saving Time (DST) in many parts of the United States. This is the day of the year, when we move, because the clocks an hour ago, the people lose an extra hour sleep. While this can potentially exacerbate the night sleeping struggles so many Americans by the accumulation of sleep to their existing debts, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) notes that the impact of an hour sleep loss is minimal, if one plans and adheres to few simple steps to adjust to the new time.


Ron Kramer, MD, medical director of the Colorado Sleep Disorders Center in Englewood, Colo., says that the return of daylight saving time is a good time to consider an individual sleep patterns and behaviors Since good sleep patterns, such as a good diet and an exercise program, Forms the basis of maximising health.


"The switch to daylight saving time, with his loss forced an hour sleep and a change in sleep schedule, it can sometimes result of complaints disrupted daytime functioning," says Dr. Kramer. "This problem, surprisingly, can be as long as one to two weeks in some people, particularly in the" night owl "type of person."


Although the time change is only an hour loss, the researchers found that the disturbance in sleep patterns associated with the determination of the clock forward correlated with an increase in the number of traffic accidents and lost productivity as workers disrupted sleep adjust to the schedule change.


Lawrence Epstein, MD, medical director of the Sleep Health Center in Brighton, Massachusetts, agrees that sleep deprivation reduces job performance, the ability to focus attention and learning. He says, adapting your circadian rhythm to a new timetable, in order to avoid sleep deprivation planning.


"Whether you lose one hour due to daylight savings or dealing with jet lag from crossing time zones, you should have your new sleep schedule to allow time for your body to adjust to the new schedule," Epstein said. "Anticipation of change and to prepare a new timetable can prevent the development of the negative effects of a schedule change."


Circadianen rhythms, body or our internal clocks, the pattern repeated activities associated with the environmental cycles of day and night. People who have trouble sleeping an internal clock, has not in sync with the day-night cycle.


More than 70 million Americans have a sleep laboratory. Studies have linked poor sleep to serious health problems such as depression, obesity, heart disease and diabetes.


The AASM offers the following tips to help people better cope with the upcoming time change:


- Begin to re-adjust sleep schedule a few days before the time change, go to bed an hour earlier.

- Re-adjust your diet schedule by dinner an hour earlier.

- Be cautious when driving or operating machinery on the day of the time change.

- Avoid napping, especially before bedtime.

- Avoid caffeine in the morning, you wake and alcohol on the night to help you go to sleep.

- Keep a light schedule on Monday after the time change. These include minimizing driving and strenuous physical activities to avoid.

- Eat right and stay well hydrated and stay physically active.


According to Dr. Kramer, even though the transition to summer time is not a big problem for you or others you know, nobody should believe that with poor sleep, or sleepiness during the day on a chronic basis (for more as two weeks or more) is something that "you just have to live with."


"I seek medical advice about sleep problems with your primary doctor should be your first step," says Dr . Kramer. Referring to a certified doctor of medicine or a sleeping AASM certified sleep laboratory may be necessary. "


AASM membership is a professional organization, working for the advancement of sleep medicine and sleep research.


American Academy of Sleep Medicine

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